Every year, millions of young adults graduate high school, but many others don't. Various jobs, and higher education institutions, require a high school diploma or what is referred to as a high school equivalency, most commonly a GED.
The GED, or General Educational Development, is a grouping of tests that cover four main subjects: science, mathematics, social studies, and language arts. The GED exam is administered by the American Council on Education (ACE). When a learner completes the exam successfully, they receive a High School Equivalency Diploma which allows them to pursue higher education or apply to different job openings than they are eligible for without one.
Students pursuing a GED or similar high school equivalency (HSE) diploma like the HiSET must be 17 years of age, but these tests are usually a form of adult education. The GED program is available in English and Spanish and you can get your GED online. The GED is not a free test and learners will have to pay to retake it if they don't succeed on their first attempt. There are free online GED classes, study materials, study guides, and even free practice tests available to help you with your GED preparation.
Are There Free GED Classes Online?
Yes, there are free online GED prep courses that cover the four main subject areas: civics, language arts, math, and science. Some adult education courses are written specifically to serve as GED test prep and include practice quizzes, while other courses cover GED subjects but aren't formally intended for test-taking preparation.
Top Free GED Courses
Many free online courses can help you with actual GED prep, but not all of these programs have the credentials needed to prepare you for test day. Ensure your course is recognized by ACE or another accrediting body to verify that the information is accurate and can help you study. Although there are enrollment options through GED.com, the official ACE site for the GED testing service, these courses are paid.
For students on a budget, many free, accredited courses with flexible class schedules allow you to learn from the comfort of your home. These seven courses provide free, at-home study courses and practice materials for students preparing for the GED. Some platforms offer both free and paid materials, so it is crucial to review all course information and compare online GED classes vs. traditional GED classes before enrolling.
Study.com
Study.com is a learning platform that offers online courses that can be used for personal development and even college credit. In addition to these broad courses, there is a series of GED-specific courses broken into six modules, one for each of the four core subjects and two more general ones.
Learners can make a free account on Study.com or through the app available on iOS and Android. Once a learner has an account, they have unlimited access to the materials. Study.com uses a combination of short lessons and practice quizzes to gauge learning.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy was founded in 2006 and has become one of the leaders in free learning for students of any age. Its database of courses is subdivided into grade-based programs to help students learn grade-appropriate information.
Khan Academy doesn't have designated GED prep courses, but there are hundreds of courses available in each of the four main subject areas, especially high school-level courses. Learners who didn't complete high school, for any reason, can take specific courses tailored for the grades they didn't complete or missed.
Coursera
Coursera is a third-party learning platform that hosts courses offered by companies and universities globally. Like the Khan Academy, Coursera doesn't have courses exclusively designed for GED prep, but there are many in science, math, social studies, and language arts.
Some of these programs require payment, but Coursera offers financial aid opportunities to cover these costs.
PBS Learning
PBS, the Public Broadcasting Service, has long been known for its award-winning documentaries and educational children's television programming, but the service also has online learning programs available. Students can take interactive lessons, watch videos, listen to audio, and more. They may study subjects like history, arts, language, and other disciplines.
USAHello Classroom
USAHello Classroom allows learners to take free GED courses on multiple platforms (i.e., phones, tablets, and computers). These self-paced prep courses cover each subject and multiple individual lessons.
Students can retake these lessons to prepare for the practice quizzes at the end of each learning module. Although these courses are meant for GED prep, they can be used to prepare for the HiSET or other similar tests.
Onsego
Onsego is one of the most respected GED prep tools available to learners. Onsego offers online lessons that help students study individual topics and practice tests to gauge their learning. Onsego has a mix of free and paid materials, and many of its courses are paid.
GED.com
GED.com is the official online resource and testing center for the American Council on Education's GED program. Most of the resources are paid, but students can access some study materials for free, like practice tests. The site also has an extensive FAQ that learners can use to get a better idea of what the test looks like and how to prepare properly.
What To Expect From a Free Online GED Test
A free online GED test is like the official GED test. These tests are multiple-choice questions from one of the four main GED topics. Most sites that offer practice tests subdivide the practice tests into individual topics to help students brush up on certain weak points.
Can I Take the GED Test for Free?
The official GED test from the American Council on Education isn't available for free for all learners, but there are ways that you can complete it for free.
There are financial aid options from independent providers that can award grants or scholarships to cover the average $144 costs. Some states, like New York, offer the test for free while others, like Arkansas, provide subsidy options to reduce costs.
Where To Find Free GED Practice Tests
Most of the places that offer GED courses also provide GED practice tests. Online searches can provide you with a list of GED practice tests. Just confirm that these tests are offered by accredited providers and that the information and format align with the GED test.
Further Your Education
Just because you didn't finish high school doesn't mean your educational journey has to end. Taking the GED exam in-person or online is a way that learners can earn a credential that allows them to pursue higher education and more advanced career options. Learners on a budget can find free resources to prepare for their GED examination to get back to learning.